Swatched!

Hi everyone,
I've been a member of this blog for a while but haven't participated in one of the official knitalongs. I did do the SKB but signed up with the other KAL that Pixie Purls hosted before this one started. I'm working on the Somewhat Cowl now, so I guess I'm officially behind the times.

I am going to participate in this KAL though, as I have the yarn for Eiffel and just swatched. I got gauge on the ribbing part of the pattern on size 5 addis. Is everyone going to also swatch the lace pattern, or just use two needle sizes smaller than for the ribbing? I noticed my ribbing swatch looks pretty "hole-y" after washing.



Also a sizing question - I usually like my tops pretty close fitting and so
usually knit them to my actual measurement or even with negative ease. This yarn is pretty drapey/unstretchy so I thought maybe I should go with the medium size instead of the small that I would normally do. My bust measures 34.5" but my hips are 38". I'm worried if I do the Small (35") it might be too tight on the bottom. However, I am short waisted so I will probably need to adjust the length of the bottom section as well to hit in the right spot. Anyone else grappling with these issues?

Knit From Your Stash 2007

Knit From Your Stash 2007 - uh oh, I already have a plan to fall off. See I was thinking that my 1776 socks, my top-down sweater, Clapotis aren't done, but if I take a class - I was thinking the men's top-down sweater - I might ACTUALLY finish!

Top Down Sweater $40. I was asked to schedule a class for a man’s sweater. This sweater works for man or woman. Ellen is knitting the sample in scrumptious Misti Alpaca Chunky to create a cuddly and toasty warm sweater. Basic knitting skills required. Fee includes pattern.
Sun. 1/21 3-5pm and
2/4,18 3/11 3-4pm

Phil's favorite color is olive green - this might be close.

Was also thinking:
2Socks –2Circulars $60
Don’t care for double pointed needles? Knit two socks on two long circular needles. When you are done you have a pair completed. Basic knitting skills are required. Fee includes pattern. Tue. 1/9,16,23,30 6-8pm. But Tuesday evenings? I think not. Might wait and see if it offered in the summer.

Participating This Time!!

I will be able to participate this time....WHOOOPPIIEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll be doing Eifel, but I do have a question. I do not want to do mine in hemp, mainly because I cannot afford to right now. My question: approximately what weight of yarn is the called for hemp? It'd to know this in choosing a substitute yarn.

Hello All

Hi I am new to this KAL but love the concept. Thanks so much for inviting me in. I will read some the most recent posts and try to catch up. I know both Eiffel and the corset are on my list....my blog is
knitting-nut.blogspot.com

I would love to buy the yarn for wicked as well. Anyone know how many skeins will be needed for the project?

Susan
http://knittersdelight.blogspot.com/

Where is Wicked?

Is it me, or is the Wicked pattern not available yet? I was all set to buy the pattern and start yarn shopping, but the Zephyr site says the pattern still coming. I hate it when I want to buy yarn and can't. Maybe I should buy some anyway....

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

Well, it looks like we'll have another "double knit along" this time with the two patterns who received the highest number of votes (Wicked and Eiffel). Knit either or both! Congratulations to the pattern designers for both of the fantastic patterns! I know that Sarah and Rachel check this board frequently and I'll contact Lana to see if she will be available for pattern support here as well. (Designers, please feel free to post and introduce yourselves to the rest of the ladies including how you can be reached for pattern support.)

There have been a couple of comments regarding bra straps showing with these (and other) sweaters so I'd like to throw my 2 cents in here, if I may. Like most of you, I despise seeing and showing bra straps, so if and when I wear something that I fear might expose mine, I choose a camisole with a pretty lacey strap to go over my bra straps. If you don't own a camisole such as this, they're everywhere and I highly recommend you invest in one especially since the layered look is so big these days. They're usually not expensive and frequently come in many colors. Some do and some don't cover the bra straps well, so try a few on before you buy one. I own about 5 white ones (as well as many other colors) and wear them often. The lacier you can find the straps, the more obvious it will be that this is NOT your bra strap showing. Also, the Zephyr gals have posted that a pic of Wicked can be found on their site (being modeled by a live person) and say that the sweater comes up higher on the shoulders than it appears to on the mannequin. With Eiffel, due to the laciness of the bodice, it's obvious that a camisole is being worn with it, so this should help with the bra strap issue as well. Perhaps we could post some links here on the SKC to some nice lace-strapped camisoles for those who are interested in adding some to their wardrobe. I bought most of mine from Abercrombie and Hollister, but I don't know if they have the exact same style any more. The ones I found have straps that are about 1.5 inches wide and cover my straps very well.

We will begin this knit along January 7th, so start gathering your supplies soon. We'll end the knit along at the end of February.

I'd like to wish everybody a wonderful holiday season. Whatever you celebrate (and even if you celebrate nothing at all), may this season bring you all joy, peace, and LOTS and LOTS of yarn :-)

Blessings!

Links to pics/patterns

Cherry

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Combo Corset-T and/or Tank Top

---

Eiffel

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Flicca

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Heart Turtleneck - Knit 1 Magazine

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Marilyn's Not So Shrunken Cardi

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Ruffled Top - Knit 1 Magazine

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Wicked

---

Simply Marilyn

---

Ivy

---

Bella Paquita

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Alexander McQueen Knock Off

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Intolerable Cruelty

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Suzette

I want to vote!

Trouble is, I don't know what they all look like is there somewhere I can find pictures?

Take Two!

Okay, let's try this again! I'm pretty sure I got all of the consumer friendly pattern nominations on the list this time. Voting will end at midnight on December 22nd so vote quick and spread the word! No sense in dragging this out any longer than we need to!

Choose Your Favorite Consumer Friendly Yarn Pattern
	Cherry
	Combo Corset-T and/or Tank Top
	Eiffel
	Flicka
	Heart Turtleneck
	Marilyn's Not So Shrunken Cardi
	Ruffled Top
	Wicked
	Simply Marilyn
	Ivy
	Bella Paquita
	Alexander McQueen Knock Off
	Intolerable Cruelty
	Suzette
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Uh oh!

Okay ladies, it's been brought to my attention by a couple of you who are VERY "on the ball" that at least two patterns were accidentally left off the nomination list. Also, there seems to be some ambiguity about which pattern is the "aran off the shoulder" pattern. So. We'll have to re-do the list and set up a new poll which I will try to have done by tomorrow. I'm terribly sorry about this (these) oversights and will do my best to get things up and running a.s.a.p!

Friendly Brown Sheep

I spoke with a representative of Brown Sheep Company, Inc. today about their keystone pricing policy. Here's what I was told: Brown Sheep yarn co. only makes reccomendations about the retail pricing of their yarn. They distribute yarn to a vast territory in the U.S. and abroad and believe there is no way they can tell a retailer what is appropriate to charge in the retailers particular part of the country or world.
So, I think this makes Brown Sheep a consumer friendly yarn company. Unfortunately, I got this information too late to be able to nominate Cleaves for the next KAL, but at least now we know about another company's friendly status. I'll pass this on to the Consumer Friendly Yarns website.

Let's Vote!

Here are the official "consumer friendly" pattern nominations for our next knit along. Many thanks to Pamela who compiled the list and verified the "friendliness" of each nomination for us!

Voting will end at midnight on December 21st so please help spread the word! If you're unsure which pattern is which, just scroll down through the previous posts and you should be able to see references to each pattern. If all goes well, we should be able to start this knit along the first week of the new year!

Woohoo! Let's vote!

Choose Your Favorite Consumer Friendly Pattern
	Cherry
	Combo Corset-T AND/OR Corset Tank Top
	Eiffel
	Flicka
	Heart Turtleneck
	Marilyn's Not So Shrunken Cardi
	Ruffled Top
	Wicked
	Simply Marilyn
	Aran Off-Shoulder Sweater
	Ivy
	Bella Paquita
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Another Nomination

I would like to nominate "Cherry" from My Fashionable Life.




The yarn used is Jo Sharp Summer DK Cotton. I emailed Jo Sharp and this is there response word for word:

"Hello Lara
My apologies for the delay in replying - we have had photo shoots the last 2 weeks and I have been a bit distracted!

In Australia we provide our stores with a recommended retail price however it is illegal for us to attempt to enforce any pricing policy.

In the USA & Canada I believe the situation is similar.
If you contact our distributors,
USA - JCA ph 978 597 8794"

I can try to phone the USA distributors and see what they say but it appears that they do not enforce a pricing policy.

I really love this pattern and will knit it either way!

I nominate.....

I will nominate this cardigan again...I think its great...I know we can also buy the yearn from the same link/place...called GARNSTUDIO

Updates

Wow, what a great batch of nominations we have this time! Y'all have done a terrific job of finding patterns calling for consumer friendly yarns!

A couple of things I'd like to mention:

First, we are going to extend the nomination period for another week in order to allow those members who nominated patterns with "unrated" keystone policies to contact the yarn manufacturers to find out where they stand regarding this issue. The new nomination deadline will be December 17th.

Second, patterns that call for "unrated" yarns will not be included in the official pattern nominations for this knit along, so if you're interested in a particular pattern and don't know the yarn manufacturer's keystone policy, please feel free to contact them and post that info here.

Third, the winners of the last Simple Knitted Bodice/Sizzle knit along are Nancy Hough from Bird's Nest Knits and Lisa St. Hilaire from Knitnzu. Hop on over to these gals' blogs and congratulate them! And congratulations to everybody who finished these beautiful sweaters -- you're ALL winners!

Fourth, I'm looking for volunteers to help me organize the "official nomination list" for this next knit along. Anyone interested in helping, please email me.

Fifth, as promised, here is the "better" scan of the article featured in Yarn Market News referencing the Sexy Knitters Club! Be sure to maximize the pic (by hovering over the lower right corner 'till you see the "maximize" icon) for easier reading.



Finally, since we've extended the official nomination period and since I just got my new issue of Knit.1 in the mail today and since the cover says, "40+ Flirty Knits", I've got a couple new nominations to add to the list.

These are both "consumer friendly yarn" patterns:

Ruffled Top -- Lion Brand Romance yarn (be sure to maximize)



Heart Turtleneck -- Lion Brand Jiffy (be sure to maximize)

Want to get this in before the deadline ;)

Not like we need more suggestions...There are so many wonderful ideas already that I am going to have a very hard time choosing..
But I wanted to get my 2 cents in.
I know we have done 2 of her patterns before...But I would like to nominate Marilyn's Not So Shrunken Cardi (remember how fab Gay's looked?) And the recommended yarn is Consumer Friendly..Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed:

I am also desiring to do Wendy's Something Red as well...But not sure if Blue Sky Alpaca is considered Consumer Friendly...It was not on the list..However we could always sub!
Can't wait to find out what wins for this next KAL..I don't know about you but I am excited for this one!

Brown Sheep

Just wanted to let you all know I have emailed Brown Sheep yarn company to inquire about whether they require retail keystone pricing. If they reply and are indeed consumer friendly, then we can nominate Cleaves for the next knit along.
What are we going to do about all of the nominations for patterns using yarn that does not have a rating on the Consumer Friendly Yarns website?

Another nomination... Wicked!

The pattern includes instructions for a worsted weight and a lace weight mohair sweater. It also includes instructions for cap sleeves, 3/4 sleeves, long sleeves and for adding a pocket... This patttern truly is a "choose your own adventure" knit, no matter what your skill level may be.

Wicked is adaptable for any season as well as any body type, you can simply pick the version that will work best for you! It is knit from the top down and in the round. If you choose to add the pocket it is knit separately, then knit into the bottom of the sweater, requiring very little seaming and there is NO seaming for a pocketless version! The small cable detailing is beautiful and so easy to create - you don't even need a cable needle!

Pattern includes sizes: 28-32" (32-35", 36-39", 40-43", 44-47", 48-51", 52-55")

Suggested Consumer Friendly Yarns:
(All of these yarns are suitable choices. To obtain the correct gauge with your chosen yarn you may need to change needle size)
• Artyarns Supermerino
• Patons Classic Merino Wool
• Knit Picks Swish Superwash
• Karabella Lace Mohair

There is more pattern info at the Zephyr Website. It should be available before christmas. So perfect timing for anyone who wants to get a head start on the KAL.

Sasha

I wanted to nominate this skirt - I have it in my stash to knit, and can't wait for Christmas knitting to be finished so I can start it. It's done in Euroflax Linen, which is not listed on the consumber friendly site yet - not sure of the process needed to go through to get it on there as friendly or not, but I'm SURE that the crafty, sexy knitters out there can find suitable substitutes that are guaranteed to be friendly!

I love this skirt!!!

Eiffel

Edited to update consumer friendly yarn info...

I nominate Eiffel. I just saw it in the new Winter Knitty today. The pattern calls for Hemp for Knitting yarn. Since this yarn was not listed on the Consumer Friendly Yarns website, I e-mailed Lana at Hemp for Knitting and she told me they have no required keystone pricing policy. So yay! This can count as an official nomination.

a few nominations!

Edited to add consumer friendliness comments:

1. Matilda Jane from ysolda:




















The pattern calls for any dk or light worsted weight yarn and recommends Rowan. Not sure if it's consumer friendly but I assume it must be as you can get discount Rowan on Ebay.

2. Flicca from Amelia of My Fashionable Life: (pattern just became available - yay!)



















Uses Sirdar yarn which is consumer friendly.

3. Alexander McQueen knockoff by Calista:

The yarn Calista used is Knitpicks Andean Treasure. Knitpicks is of course only available from the Knitpicks website so a consumer friendliness rating would not be applicable here. But the whole point of Knitpicks is cheap yarn, right? (I'll be subbing anyway as the only ship to the US)

Nomination

This was on Knitty Gritty and is called the Combo Corset-T! The pattern is a simplified version of the original Silk Corset top and is FREE here (pdf)!



The pattern calls for ArtYarns yarn which is consumer friendly, although it looks like any worsted weight yarn might work. Annie offers great pattern support as well.

Skirt

What about something other than the tops.
Intolerable Cruelty

Cleaves

My suggestion is Cleaves from knitty.com's Spring 05 collection. It's an easy knit and can be worn as a shrug. It uses Brown Sheep yarn company's Lamb's Pride Bulky, which has no rating on the Consumer Friendly Yarns website, but perhaps we could find out about Brown Sheep or substitute? Lamb's Pride comes in so many gorgeous colors!

Corset Pullover

I've loved this pattern forever - and its done up in ArtYarns Regal Silk. Its an intermediate pattern with some charts involved - so it would be challenging for most people - but its beautiful.

Some nominations:

this is Arisaig from knitty.com, I think it's a gorgeous wrap around sweater that will be flattering on all, don't we love that?

as to yarn, i'm sure there are many cheaper substitutes, but i believe the yarn that the pattern calls for is a 4ply 100% merino wool.

I also really like

from tahki yarns

and lastly this:

this is just breathtakingly beautiful...the Lana Grossa wrap around cardigan

I second cabernet ribs

I thik cabernet ribs looks very nice indeed. Easy to replace with all sorts of different yarns, especially good for stash use. Zara is a standard double knit tension and baby kid can be replaced with so many different things. Would be good for everyone on whatever budget. Ruby

Another nomination

Ivy from the current Fall 06 Knitty.

It's made with Elann Peruvian Collection Quechua. Elann sells yarn at wholesale prices, which are definitely consumer friendly.

I wrote to Elann's customer service and they are expecting a new shipment of the Peruvian Quechua at the beginning of the year-- so I hope there will be colors to suit one and all.

Next suggestion: Suzette

It's Berrocco's so it shouldn't be a problem :-)
It's pretty and fairly simple, comes in many sizes and is free :-D

Suzette

Adinkracom

Test. Do I still have a blog?

Cabernet Ribs

Hi All- I want to nominate Cabernet Ribs (the 3rd project on the page) from this winter's Interweave knits. It's a cool weather garment, but it's got some sexy elements to it- fitted with sheer sleeves. The consumer friendly yarns sight doesn't have a comment about Filatura di Crosa yarns, but I would think substitutes could be found if anyone is concerned.

Simply Marilyn

I nominate Simply Marilyn (warning - PDF!)

It is suitable for someone who is relatively new to knitting, and who may have missed the bandwagon originally. The off-the-shoulder design is fun and flirty, but warm and not overly revealing. It looks nice on a wide variety of body types, and can be dressed up or down. Debbie Bliss is listed as a "Friendly" yarn, but it would be easy find suitable substitutes.

Thoughts?

Finished Early, Posted Late

I finished my SKB in early November but am just now posting photos of it. Here is the always classy bathroom mirror self-portrait.

The gory details regarding the voodoo math I used to modify the size medium to fit a size large bust can be found on the blog here.

My suggestion for next KAL

Bella Paquita

I discovered a LYS :)

so, i finally found an amazing lys. normally i stick to the staples like JoAnn's or Micheals. I'm a college student,I don't really have a budget for yarn. But, I just had to buy this:

beautiful mohair, and in the perfect burgundy gold school colors. Even though I don't like making scares (theres something about knitting a long rectangle that manages to bore me somehow) but I wanted to make Emma a nice birthday present, she turned 18 and she deserves something knitted, as all amazing people do, lol. so i started making this:

heres a closeup


But, I haven't mentioned this:

I admit it, I fell in love and I succumbed to an impulse buy. I want to make something lace-y and beautiful...any suggestions would be immensely appreciated
♥

p.s.....i'm sorry the pics are so gigantic, i'm not used to working with a mac and i have no idea how to photoshop yet.

Let's Get This Party Started!

Yep, it's that time again -- time to begin our official nominations for the next knit along. Remember, we'll be accepting nominations for patterns that call for consumer friendly yarns only for this next knit along, so we're going to have to look a little harder before tossing our nominations out there. If you're unsure which yarn companies are considered consumer friendly, there is a list available on the Consumer Friendly Yarns website.

When you nominate a pattern, please hyperlink the pattern instead of including the entire URL into a post which can throw our sidebar out of whack. Hyperlinking means that you use the little icon at the top of the post editor that looks like sunglasses on a green blob (but is really supposed to be a chain "link", I think). Anyway, you highlight the word you want to hyperlink, click on the hyperlink icon above and enter the complete URL into the window that pops up. Voila! Including a medium sized pic of the pattern in your post is nice too!

We'll take nominations until December 10th and will vote for 2 days in mid December. After the winner is announced, we'll gather our supplies (quickly) and will begin the next knit along the first week in January. We'll also be announcing the winners of the last knit along within the next couple of days, so be sure to check back for that!

Have fun and let the nominations begin!

At Last, At Last!

My SKB is finally finished, 2 weeks too late. I'm happy it's done, because I really love everything about this sweater. Read more about it on my blog.

Finally done

I know I missed the deadline, but I finished my SKB this past weekend. It is a little big after the needed washing and blocking. It's annoying because it fit fine before blocking but it had way to much dye in the yarn. The whole process is chronicled in my blog down to the ruined towel. I'll post photos of me in it later.

(I hate being photographed)

I never photograph well, but I wanted to prove that I did finish my SKB - and used it for a little photo shoot this weekend. I have a picture of me modeling it on my blog (and I look awful, bleh), but here's a better pic (and it's far more interesting, anyway):

UPDATE: For those waiting... the markers are ready!

Hello Sexy Knitters! We wanted to stop by and say hello. We joined the club awhile back but have yet to actually post. So hello! We are Sarah and
Rachel aka Zephyr Gals.

We noticed a lot of talk lately about Consumer Friendly yarns and just wanted to post our support to those working hard over at the Consumer Friendly Yarn website. Also, we wanted to spread the word that we are willing to help in any way that we can to spread the word and knowledge. We are in the works on a CFY pattern that will be free on our website and a
list of CF yarns that can be used with the pattern.... also in the works, a set of CFY stitch markers. I know that there is a lot of controversy and differences of opinion on the subject. We in no way want to push or press the issue if you don't want to be involved... but for those of you that do, we are really excited to stand and help out those stores that have been and are involved in retailer keystone pricing.

And for ALL the SKC members.... stop on over to zephyr. We have a really fun set of markers that should speak to all you sexy ladies... here is a sneak peek (above). They will be available very soon!

Happy Knitting,
Rachel & Sarah

blocking. so i was fed up with picking up the sts, cuz tali wante dto sit on me at the time. hang on me, crawl over me. needles and baby are hazardous! so i gave up and crocheted the border with skacel fiori luxe. boy was it faster. i forget how fast crochet is! 30 min= 1 FO. it was within a yard of using the whole ball. will let you know how it fits.

SKB ...c'est finis!

Ok, so this time around I am only a few days past the deadline, unlike with the Somewhat Cowl where I was about 2 months behind! I had started out making this as a knit for myself, but now that I am looking at the finished item, it looks like something my friend my like. She loves asian inspired/themed things, and does'nt this sort of resemble a kimono whith the flared sleeves and that wide (obi-like) piece across the middle? Anyway, I thought so. I don't know if I care for the SWTC soysilk; it feels lovely, but most of the balls had knots in them...and by "knots" I don't mean "kinks" or "tangles"...it's more like the yarn was cut every 2 yards and then knotted back together.
So, I don't know if I would use that again. My picked up stitches are pulling on the neckline a little and I didn't quite follow the pattern for the neckline. Not because I thought I could do it better, more like I wasn't paying attention AT ALL. (Project Runway Season 1!)


Sorry again for the crappy pic, and oops, looks like I forgot to clean my mirror again. (^_^)

Hello

Hi All

I'm new, what a great idea to have a Sexy Knitters Club! I'm 53 and been knitting since I was 5 years old, Granny age now though I'm not one and don't feel like one. I love to knit lace patterns, and feminine rather than dowdy sweaters etc. At the moment I'm working on the gorgeous dressing gown in the Beads, Buttons and Lace book.
hugs
Hazel

i know i missed the posting deadline, but...

i finished not one but two simple knitted bodices well before the deadline! that is, i made one, decided it was too big, and made another. i absolutely love the second one. i have zero good pictures of it, but four bad ones :) here's one of the bad ones; details, pattern mods, and the other bad ones are on my blog at http://lisabee.typepad.com. (this one's bad because apparently my dogs like to check themselves out in my mirror; the others are just bad because they're blurry.)

In the Nick of Time

So I know this entry is going to be posted after midnight..But people I finished my Sizzle at 11:43 pm.


I could have had it done a lot sooner..But I had a few blunders here and there while making it.
The first being that even though I did a gauge swatch before I began..It was still too big and had to be frogged and restarted (after about 5" worth done...Could have been worse.)
Second, I went out of town last week...And although I thought I would have lots of knitting time..That was not the case.
Third...And this happens every time I finish a garment...My sleeve bindoff's were way too tight. I had to rip and redo the bindoff on both sleeves 3 times (3rd time being the charm).
With all that I still managed to have it done in a week. And I love it!



It is quite sexy and flattering this way...But also very cute with a shirt underneath. There are no pics of that option 'cuz they all looked stupid..But trust me, it works well as a sweater vest too.
My only gripe..I wish it was just a tee-tiny bit longer. The next one I do (and there will be a next one) I will work a bit longer before starting the darts.
Thanks again Wendy! Can't wait to do more of your patterns!

Still SKBing

Unfortunately, I'm not crossing the finish line with the rest of you, but here's the latest on my SKB. Last night, I finished the body and bound off at the bottom. I still need to finish the sleeves and neck. More details on my blog. Thanks to SKC for choosing great patterns that encourage me to challenge myself and my skills and look great on.

slowly....knitting bodice.
i have been using Interlacements undyed rayon silk. (1200+ yds for $18) i love it so far. but have decided if i ever do this pattern again, there are some changes i will make. i knit according to bust size. and so the waist is way too big. next time i will not increase the 21 srs or so, but decrease to the next size down's waist sts before beginning the lace insert.
other than how long arms are!!! i love it so far.

Finally Casted On

So I finally casted my SKB on last Sunday the 5th after hand balling up my yarn. I love the pattern and my yarn so far. I've decided to alter the pattern slightly and only do one set of the purl ridges. I think that will be enough. I also think I'll be using more of Mystical Creations Yarns for my sweaters. The yarn holds up and the price is reasonable on a grad student budget. Pictures will soon be coming.

Another SKB done!!

I finished last night!! I am really happy with how it turned out and that i was able to finish it in time! I used Caron Simply Soft in Violet. Soft, warm and some nice drape on the sleeves!
Nice seeing everybody's FO's! See you next KAL and can't wait to see all the new pattern ideas.
Hope you all have Happy Holiday's!!

Another Sizzler!

Very easy to follow pattern and it turned out quite flattering I think. Definitely something that I'd wear regularly. I wore it over a white button down shirt on Saturday night - so it's pretty versatile. Very much disliked the yarn choice - the drape of the finished object was really nice - but the yarn is SUPER splitty. Blech.

YARN: SouthWest Trading Company's PHOENIX soy silk yarn in Really Red (4 skeins I think)
NEEDLES: Size 7 Knit Picks Options
SIZE: Large - 43.5" bustline

A few modifications I made to the pattern:

1. Added an additional bust increase row
2. Added an additional inch of knitting before splitting for the neckline. Now that I see it on I would have only added 1/2 an inch - because I'd have liked it just a little more open.
3. Knit the seed stitch edging around the neck back and forth to create the keyhole effect.
4. Didn't bother with the 1/2 inch seed stitch edge around the arms.

::my Pinkina::

I would probably be the last person on Earth to make this smart-patterned top by Stefanie Japel. It happened to be a late summer knit, so it will be sitting in the closet till the new summer comes!
The yarn I used for it, Filatura Di Crosa/Tahki Luxury 4 skeins of 100% plied silk, I would love to use that yarn over and over and over again! It really is pure luxury!And got it on sale by accident!
Made it on US 3 Addi Turbo and it was strictly a car/airplane project, so it took me about two weeks to accomplish. Actually I am thinking about making another one.. for myself or for a gift, it is just such a great knit! Thank you =)

Possible Yarn Substitute

Hello I'm new to the group and I have to confess that I have been eagerly awaiting the release of the Sahara pattern by Wendy Bernard since last week. A possible yarn substitute that is listed as Consumer Friendly is Artyarns Regal Silk (I have linked an online vendor as Artyarns site didn't go straight to the Regal Silk page). I am using Regal Silk for my SKB and it seems to be going good. I am using a size 6 needle and getting about 5.5 sts to the inch. Below is a picture of my first try on. I'm getting ready to start the waist detail.

I just took a peek at Bella Paquita and that is a nice sweater also. So hard to choose.

Done!

Here's my finished SKB. I'm happy with it, but wish it was a little smaller. I posted a picture on the SKB KAL blog, so I won't repeat myself here.

I am also working on Sizzle. I've done the body and the neck edging. I think I'm going to give it long sleeves (makes so much more sense in New England in the winter). I have Barbara Walker's Knitting from the Top Down to guide me. I'll post pictures if it works.

Oooh...pretty!

Well I know this KAL is winding down ( I only have a sleeve and a half to go!) ...so people will probably start nominating patterns for the next one soon, right? I just saw this gorgeous one at stitchdiva, and I am in LOVE! I sort of wish I had seen this one before the SKB...but since it's not exactly avaialable yet, that would have been hard to pull off :P

ANYWAY! I think this is another Tilli Thomas pattern, and I know that some folks are boycotting them (Tilli Thomas, the yarn - not the pattern or designer) on principle...but you have to admit, it's a really pretty sweater! I myself would probably buy the pattern to support the designer and use a diffferent yarn.

ETA
I am aware the pattern is not "by" Tilli Thomas, what I meant was that it is another pattern which originally calls for Tilli Thomas. Sorry to have raised any hackles, should have been more clear!

finished!

Here is my SKB. I don't have anything else to add except that I had severe second-sleeve syndrome and while I could have finished this earlier in October, I just did not want to finish that sleeve. :) At least I was able to make this KAL deadline, right?

x-posted

Happy knitter completed SKB KAL

Hello! I think this is my first time posting here - but I've been doing the SKB KAL and commenting from time to time. I finally finished my SKB - my big motivation was that the Yarn Harlot was coming to Connecticut! I think without that, I would probably be working on it forever!

(OK , I really wanted my photo to go here - but it landed at the top instead!)

Anyway - I just finished writing everything that anyone could possibly want to know about it on my blog. I'd love for you to come and visit!

I can't wait to see more finished SKBs!!!

Yet another finished Sizzle!!!!

Finished my Sizzle last week and wore it to work on Monday... looks great and the neckline is just right. I'm a bit worried that I tried it on without the neck and almost decided it could be left that way (I REALLY hate picking up stitches)

Yarn: Butterfly Cotton from a cardigan I started in 1999
Size: Small

Modifications: I didn't remove any selvedge stitches for knitting in the round and added two stitches front and back to make it a bit larger.

We're In The News!

Yarn Market News, that is! Check out the article published in the most recent issue of Yarn Market News! Sorry about the terrible scan, but it's all I've got for now and will try to get a better scan soon. Just click on the pic below and hover over the lower right corner of the article until the maximize icon (the yellow square with blue arrows) appears. When you see the maximize icon, just click it and the article should maximize for easier reading.



Our current knit along will end in just over a week (November 15th) and drawings will be held at the end of November. To enter the drawing, email me letting me know that you participated in the current knit along -- please put "SKB/Sizzle KAL" in the subject of your email. Please include in your email either a pic of your finished SKB or Sizzle or a link to your blog documenting your finished item(s). If you finished BOTH sweaters (the SKB and Sizzle) please put "I finished BOTH) in the subject of your email and we will enter you in the drawing twice! Drawing winners will receive copies of Ashley Paige's Sexy Little Knits.

I have to say that this knit along certainly has had its share of excitement and controversy. If you're not sure what the controversy is all about, be sure to check out the Lime & Violet podcast discussing Tilli Tomas's price-fixing policies. Why does the SKC care about this issue? Well, to be perfectly honest, when the SKC (with nearly 800 members) votes for a knit along pattern, and that pattern calls for a particular yarn, and that particular yarn is distributed by a company that practices unethical and (quite possibly) illegal business practices, we are directly supporting that company's business practices. I know there are differing views on this subject as there are many threads discussing the subject of price-fixing within the yarn industry and I'm not necessarily interested in starting another debate here. As the founder of the Sexy Knitters Club, I will say however that I personally do not agree with price-fixing in any industry and encourage all knitters and crocheters to learn more about this issue and how it affects YOU and your yarn buying options. A great resource (mentioned by Brenda Dayne in her most recent episode of Cast-On) for learning more about price-fixing within the yarn industry is a website called Consumer Friendly Yarns. I highly recommend that each of you check out this website and get involved to let the yarn manufacturers know how you feel about price-fixing within the yarn industry. I was contacted by a representative of Consumer Friendly Yarns and after spending some time on their site, I must say that I stongly support their cause and have decided that our next knit along will include patterns that use "consumer friendly yarns" or have at least one "consumer friendly yarn" listed as a substitute. Again, if your unclear what a "consumer friendly yarn" is, please visit the Consumer Friendly Yarns website.

Due to the holidays we will wait to start our next knit along until after the first of the year, however start looking for your patterns using consumer friendly yarns now, as this may be a bit more challenging than our previous pattern nominations. If you're not sure whether a yarn company is "consumer friendly", contact them to find out! Feel free to post pics and links to any patterns you find that meet the criteria for the next knit along, although the official nominations won't start until January 1st, 2007.

Until then, knit on Sexy Knitters!!!

Can I Make it?

Heya,
So a few posts ago I showed my finished SKB...But here's a pic to remind you. =)

When we first started this KAL I had voted for Sizzle, but I loved both of these patterns so I am glad they both won. For some reason I casted on for the SKB first. Now that it is done, I have decided to knit Sizzle as well.

I started last night...Wendy says I can make this in about 3 days...I am glad she is so confidant in me =).
So far, I am loving it. I am making mine out of Suri Merino in a beautiful Forest Green color ( the pic gives it no justice what-so-ever, you will just have to trust me on this one) .

I'm having a lot of fun with it, the directions are very well done. Bravo Wendy!

The real question is...Can I have this done before the KAL is over?

Washing?!?

HI! I too an anxious to hear about the sub yarns. I keep thining htat I should write these down because I'd like to make it again someday! But I don't think I'd use the Tili again!

Any way I was wondering how those of you who used the Tili are blocking and planning on washing your SKB. It says on the label to dry clean only and I'm wondering if you have to do that.
What are others doing?

Hi everyone!

I've joined this blog seeing as I've been knitting nothing but baby gifts since the summer and am now expecting my second in April!! Can anyone tell me how to get the button to show up on my blog?? I'm not the most blog-savvy, if you know what I mean... Thanks! http://knittingirl.typepad.com

One for the frogs

I had some second thoughts about the size as I got to the first purl ridges, but I kept going. Now, it is too large and I need to frog. I am using Knit Pick Andean Silk. I like the yarn...The only problem is that it hold its shape so well that the bottom section stands out completely on its own from my body and obscures my own shape. And I didn't pay attention to my circular gauge being different from my back and forth gauge, so that made the bottom section even larger. I like the pattern, so I will make a second go at it. (You can read more at my blog.)

Something Red

Okay - I know this isn't the one we're doing, but I liked it soooo much better than the SKB, so I made it anyway.

I decided to make long sleeves to make it more seasonal and I'm happy with the way they turned out.

I would like to figure out a better way to block it to get all the ribbing to snug in a little closer - any ideas?